This procedure covers removal and installation of the front sway bar (stabilizer bar) on a 1966 Corvette, including disconnecting end links and frame mounting brackets.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar frame bushings (pair) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar end link bushings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Frame bracket mounting bolts × 4 — Use OEM specification
• End link hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, hard surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Apply penetrating oil to all sway bar mounting hardware and allow to soak
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at center of front crossmember
5. Place jack stands under frame rails behind front wheels
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability

Procedure

1. 1

   Access driver side end link
   Locate the driver side sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm. The end link is a vertical rod with bushings and washers at top and bottom. Note the orientation of all washers and bushings for reassembly.
2. 2

   Remove driver side end link lower fastener
   Using a 9/16" wrench on the nut and a 9/16" socket on the bolt head, remove the lower end link fastener where it connects to the lower control arm. The bolt passes through the control arm from inboard to outboard. Remove the bolt, washers, and bushings, keeping track of their order.
3. 3

   Remove driver side end link upper fastener
   Using a 9/16" wrench and socket, remove the upper end link fastener where it connects to the sway bar. Remove the bolt, washers, and bushings. The end link can now be removed completely from the vehicle.
4. 4

   Remove passenger side end link
   Repeat the end link removal process on the passenger side. Remove the lower fastener from the control arm first, then the upper fastener from the sway bar. Remove the end link from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Remove driver side frame bracket
   Locate the sway bar frame mounting bracket on the driver side frame rail. Remove the 2 bolts securing the bracket to the frame using a 1/2" socket and ratchet. The bracket is a U-shaped clamp that holds the sway bar bushing to the frame.
6. 6

   Remove passenger side frame bracket
   Remove the 2 bolts securing the passenger side frame bracket to the frame rail using a 1/2" socket and ratchet. Remove the bracket and note the position of the rubber bushing.
7. 7

   Remove sway bar from vehicle
   With both frame brackets removed, carefully slide the sway bar forward and downward out of the frame bushings. The bar may need to be rotated or manipulated to clear the crossmember and suspension components. Inspect the bar for cracks, damage, or excessive wear.
8. 8

   Inspect and replace bushings
   Remove the rubber bushings from the frame brackets if they remained in place. Inspect all bushings for cracking, tearing, or compression damage. Replace frame bushings and end link bushings as needed. Clean the frame mounting surfaces with a wire brush.
9. 9

   Install new frame bushings
   Install new rubber bushings onto the sway bar at the frame mounting locations. Orient the slit in the bushing per the bushing manufacturer's instructions (verify direction before clamping). Ensure bushings are centered on the bar where the frame brackets will clamp. Ensure bushings are centered on the bar where the frame brackets will clamp.
10. 10

    Position sway bar in vehicle
    Guide the sway bar up into position with the center section passing through the frame bushings. The ends of the bar should curve downward toward the lower control arms. Rotate and manipulate as necessary to align with frame bracket mounting locations.
11. 11

    Install frame brackets
    Position the U-shaped frame brackets over the bushings and align with the mounting holes in the frame rails. Install the 2 bolts per side finger-tight. Do not fully tighten yet to allow for alignment adjustment.
12. 12

    Install end links
    Assemble each end link with bushings and washers in the correct order: washer, bushing, through the sway bar eye, bushing, washer, then bolt through to the lower control arm mounting hole. Install upper and lower fasteners finger-tight on both sides.
13. 13

    Tighten all fasteners
    With the suspension at normal ride height (vehicle on jack stands), tighten all frame bracket bolts securely, then tighten all end link fasteners. Ensure the sway bar can rotate freely in the frame bushings without binding.

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are tight and properly seated
2. Check that sway bar has free rotational movement at frame bushings
3. Confirm end links are not over-compressed or twisted

Verification

• With vehicle still on jack stands, manually move each front wheel up and down to verify sway bar operates smoothly without binding or noise
• Lower vehicle to ground and bounce front end to check for any rattles or loose connections
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over bumps to confirm proper sway bar function and no abnormal noises

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